Assistant City Manager Steve Bergstresser said the tank, about 6 feet in diameter and 14 to 20 feet long, was discovered at 3917 Wilmington Pike during the city’s streetscape improvements project.

“When digging for the new sidewalks, they discovered an underground storage tank that’s pretty shallow,” Bergstresser said. “So obviously we need to get that removed prior to any sidewalk construction.”

The contents of the container are unknown, though Bergstresser said it is likely related to the former gas station that was at the site.

Bergstresser said the city has hired a contractor through the recommendation of BUSTR—Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations—which would safely remove the tank and its contents. The removal could take up to four weeks and cost about $32,000.